Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.

To obtain a profile of the structure, organisation and staffing of solicitors' firms; to describe the types of legal and non-legal work carried out by solicitors; to investigate the social background of solicitors including career history and educational qualifications; to explore solicitors' attitudes on a variety of professional issues.

Main Topics:

Structure and staffing of firms; work carried out by solicitors; client profile; qualifications and work history; recruitment and training; use of computer technology; position of women; attitudes to the Law Society; attitudes to professional issues.

One-stage stratified or systematic random sample

(probability proportionate to the size of the firm).; The sampling frame was the Law Society's Records' Database which is a comprehensive computerised list of all solicitors in England and Wales.

Face-to-face interview

Self-completion

Diaries

The individual solicitor questionnaire was administered face-to-face. The firm information booklet was administered by self-completion.